Kids have 'passion' for robots

Valley Press on ^ | Friday, January 26, 2007 | ALLISON GATLIN

[BenLurkin]

Walk onto some local high school campuses in the late afternoon during January and February and you are greeted by sounds of metal grinding, the pop of rivet guns, the patter of computer keyboards and, overall, the sound of teenagers laughing. This is the scene for high school robotics teams, students who spend six weeks creating a robot designed to accomplish a set task, then test their results in international competition. Along the way they learn professional and life skills beyond the field of engineering.

These students dedicate hours of their time after school and on weekends - sometimes 20 hours a week or more - during the intensive six-week build season, as well as year-round activities such as fundraising.

Some hope for careers in engineering, some are interested in computers and programming, others are simply looking for an exciting extracurricular outlet.

The robotic program is part of FIRST - For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology - an international organization which promotes science education. FIRST is host to regional competitions among the various teams, leading to the national finals each spring.

Now in its eighth year, Lancaster High School has the oldest program in the Antelope Valley, joined more recently by teams at Mojave, Tehachapi and Highland high schools.

The Lancaster team has become so popular, applications - complete with résumé and references - and an interview are required to join. The team now has 49 members, about half of those first-timers who had to be brought up to speed during the fall.

"You really don't know what to expect as a rookie," said team manager Daniel Sales, a senior in his second year on the team. But once rookies see the dedication of other team members, "it's not that hard to find the passion."

[BenLurkin]

"WATCH THOSE WIRES - William Cornell, 16, works on a robot's control panel for the robotics team at Lancaster High School." KELLY LACEFIELD/Valley

[CarrotAndStick]

Lego's latest MindStorms set is an amazing "toy".

[wizecrakker]

Robots and dinosaurs... or better yet, Robotosaurs!

[USMCWife6869]

I work for the Tech department at the high school I work at. I love working for this department. The teachers are amazingly talented, and they inspire their students way more than some of the others.

We laugh about it too, because of all the departments, we are the most shunned because we are all republicans and vocal about being conservative.

They are building robots in Electronics this sememster, I believe. The kids love it. My daughter is even taking Auto Shop this year because she wanted to see how a car worked and also be a well-rounded student.